The owners of Shaker’s Nightclub and Lounge could be facing sanctions after four people were arrested inside the bar Thursday on drug and gun charges.

Police spokesman Lt. Paul Gauvin said multiple police units led by Detective William Falandys and agents with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives responded to the bar at 1193 Pleasant St. Thursday night after securing arrest warrants for several individuals suspected of having connections to illegal drug activity inside.

While conducting pre-raid surveillance, authorities received information that an armed robbery had just occurred inside the bar. Simultaneously, detectives and agents allegedly observed an individual, later identified as Jerron Butler Jr., exit the bar, enter a parked car and appear to bend over the passenger side of the car to place an item under the seat.

Police and ATF agents then entered the bar and secured all individuals.

Detectives then located the victim, who identified Butler and a second individual, 23-year-old Peter Pearson, as two people who allegedly assaulted him. The victim said Butler and Pearson placed him in a chokehold and held a gun to his head in the bathroom area in order to steal money.

Police searched the two named individuals and uncovered an amount of money consistent with what the victim reported as lost. A search of the vehicle Butler was seen in by Detective Robert Jacob allegedly revealed a loaded 9mm Beretta handgun.

Police arrested Butler, 22, of 176 Tremont St., Apt. 2, on charges of armed robbery, possession of ammunition without a FID card, possession of a large-capacity firearm and possession of a large-capacity feeding device. Peterson, of 28 Odd St., was taken into custody on the arrest warrant for charges of distributing a Class B drug and armed robbery.

Upon further investigation, Falandys also arrested the owner of the vehicle, Franco Santos, 23, of 126 Reynolds St., Apt. 2, New Bedford, on charges of armed robbery, possession of ammunition without a FID card, possession of a large-capacity firearm and possession of a large-capacity feeding device.

Gauvin said police also apprehended Jason Hall, 22, of 4 Meadow St., Apt. 3, who was a target of the search warrant. Hall was charged with possession to distribute a Class B drug and possession to distribute a Class B drug in a school zone after police searched him and allegedly uncovered eight grams of cocaine and $493 on his person.

Gauvin said further sanctions against the owners and operators of Shaker’s may be forthcoming following a review by the city’s Licensing Board.

“During the investigation, it was clear illegal activities were taking place in clear view of the owner and manager and they did nothing to stop it,” Gauvin said.

A person who answered the phone at Shaker’s Friday afternoon said no one was available to talk.

Page 2 of 2 -
The effort earned the praise of Police Chief Daniel S. Racine and Mayor Will Flanagan.

“The Fall River Police Department is committed to making every neighborhood in Fall River a safer place. There is little doubt that this investigation and its results will do just that, I commend Detective Falandys, his colleagues, and the ATF for their tenacity,” Racine said in a statement.

Flanagan added, “I commend the Fall River Police Department, not only for a job well done, but also for forging a formidable and fruitful partnership with the ATF.”